Friday, June 30, 2017

‘Ant House’ a new attraction for Sabah tourism

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism industry players should think out of the box to come up with unique and fun products so that tourists will not get bored seeing the same things when visiting Sabah, a state minister said.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said Sabah has a lot of potential in the industry, and it is more than just snorkelling, islands and mountains.

“Yes, we have many tourists coming here every year but if we keep telling them to go up the mountain, go to the islands and try snorkelling, they would probably feel bored after some time,” he said at the opening of the Borneo Ant House theme park in Tuaran, 35km from here.

Masidi said there were about 3.24 million visitors to Sabah last year, generating revenue of about RM7.5bil, showing the state’s popularity as a destination.

That is why, he said, Sabah’s tourism products need diversity and creativity.

“The more products (we have) and the more diverse they are, the better it is for us and for tourists,” he said.

He also urged tourism players to incorporate homestays and hotels into their products as these are some aspects of tourism where there is demand and room for growth.

Masidi commended the operators of the Borneo Ant House for daring to be different by offering underground walkways and tunnels, simu­lating an ant nest, as well as canopy walkways.

“This is a family business and I am proud to see Sabahans tap into this industry,” he said, adding that the ministry would help promote the Borneo Ant House through its Sabah Tourism Board.

“We will assist where possible for this place to be marketed and maybe expanded in future,” he said.

The Borneo Ant House will be open to the public from July 1. The entrance fee is RM9 for the disabled, senior citizens aged 60 and above as well as children aged seven and below.